I flew out of International Falls, MN recently – after a 5 hour delay. After we cleared TSA security, we got the announcement that our 6:25 a.m. flight would be delayed until 11:30.

It seems there was a mechanical issue that needed to be addressed. Well, I’m all for airline safety – especially when I’m going to be on that airplane!

The “rest of the story” was that Delta had to fly a mechanic to that airport on the next scheduled flight from Minneapolis. Apparently he was able to correct the mechanical problem, and we were on our way.

I happened to be sitting right behind the mechanic who joined us on our flight to Minneapolis. When asked about the problem by another passenger, the mechanic said, “Oh, there’s a small panel right out there, and there was a screw missing. I had to replace that screw.”

Seriously?

There’s no one in International Falls who can operate a screwdriver?

You couldn’t get on a conference call or get on Skype to have someone walk you through the process?

The mechanic was quick to point out that it was TSA that grounded the airplane, not Delta.

So someone something with a screw loose caused a 5-hour delay, dozens of missed connections across the country, and 6 hours of a mechanic’s time, not to mention the horrible PR that everyone on that flight will spread to everyone they know.

By the way, just for fun, you’ve got to check out Joe Malarkey’s (www.JoeMalarkey.com) comments about TSA in this video where he demonstrates the “TSA Macarena!”

Sometimes I give government employees a hard time – but only those who deserve it and should be fired.

I recently had the privilege of speaking at a state conference of fire chiefs.  (www.WashingtonFireChiefs.org)  Great group of people!

Over and over, these guys told of having 31 years, 34 years, 40 years of service! These are public servants who truly serve. They have the technical skills to protect your house, clean up a hazardous chemical spill, or bring you back to life after you’ve had a heart attack.

And since they’ve been promoted to Chief, they also get to wrestle with HR issues, budgets, and politics. Not an easy job.

Thanks, fellas. God bless.

I requested some copies of my transcripts from the University of Oklahoma recently from my Master’s degree.

I decided to go ahead and ask for three copies while I was at it.

And a few days later, I received them – in 3 separate envelopes! I understand the process is probably automated to save time & money, but it just seems like such a waste to mail 3 identical documents to the same person on the same day in 3 separate envelopes!

Are there areas in your organization where you could be more efficient?

I’m taking a class in entrepreneurship this semester at Oklahoma State University (go Cowboys).  Apparently a couple of young men in the back of the class weren’t paying attention and were a distraction to the professor and to other students.

The professor abruptly stopped his lecture in mid-sentence and said, “You two, you need to go ahead and leave. I apologize to the rest of the class, but I’ve had enough. If you want to pay attention and not be disruptive, you can come back to class Thursday, but I need you to leave today. Go.”

I thought, “Really? He just kicked those guys out of class?”

Excellent!

A great example of holding people accountable. That professor sent a loud message, not only to those two students, but to everyone in that classroom.

Well done, Professor Wiese.

I exercised my right to free speech by marching at the Oklahoma state capitol to call for excellence and accountability in government. My wife was a little concerned. I think she wanted to make sure people didn’t think I was some anti-government wacko.

I’m not anti-government. I’m just anti-mediocrity!

Just returned from a church mission trip to Piedras Negras, Mexico. We helped build a new community center and participated in several outreach projects.

I even got to teach English as a second language to some Mexican school kids! (3rd, 4th, and 5th grade)

It was great to step out of the normal routine and just serve other people, worship with people, get to know some of my fellow Sunnybrook Christian Church members better, and practice a little Spanish.

God has truly blessed me.

It’s exciting, but a little Twilight Zone-y too.

I’m taking an Entrepreneurship class at my old alma mater, Oklahoma State University, in the Spears School of Business. My class is even in the same building where  I had classes years ago (during the Reagan Administration!)

I thought the class might help me in my speaking & training business, but I also know it can help me serve my clients better.  I often conduct training for managers in government agencies. While they are bright, competent people, government agencies are not always known for their entrepreneurial ways!

Some things remain the same on campus while others have changed a lot. We didn’t walk around campus talking on our iPhones during the early 80’s. Instructors used transparencies with overhead projectors instead of PowerPoint. The syllabus and assignments are online now. But if it’s any consolation, the desks in the classroom are still the same old desks (literally!) and textbooks are still outrageously expensive. (Maybe my next book should be a textbook…)

What about you? What are you learning that’s new? Has anyone else gone back to school lately? What changes have you noticed?

As part of a training session I led recently with some federal government managers, one of them confided his agency fired an employee, but had paid a steep price.

After everything was added up, the lawyers, the investigation, airfare & lodging for meetings and hearings, it cost over a million dollars to terminate that employee.

One of the managers involved wondered if he should have just stuck that employee in a corner with busy work until he resigned or retired. It would have been easier and cheaper.

But that agency and those managers should be commended for doing the right thing – not the easy thing.

Even if you’re not a music fan, you gotta love this group called Straight No Chaser. A group of 10 guys who sang together in college that have now reunited, released a couple of albums, and are selling out concert halls.

Watch the video below for entertainment value. But then watch it again from a manager’s point of view. There are a lot of lessons to be learned.

• Excellence – these guys are truly craftsmen. Not just the singing, but the gestures, expressions, timing, and choreography. So good they make it look easy.
• Delegation – each person does his part – or it fouls up the whole show
• Responsibility – each member must be willing to learn the material, show up for practice, and support the team. If not, I bet the group wouldn’t have any problem firing that member. Otherwise it affects the whole group’s livelihood.
• Leadership – this kind of teamwork doesn’t just happen. While it’s not readily visible, there is obviously some leadership involved in laying out the vision, assigning roles, logistics, delegating, and motivating.
• Did I mention teamwork?
• Enthusiasm – are your employees this enthusiastic – or are they just going through the motions?

Managers could learn a thing or two from this well-tuned performance!

[youtube width="309" height="250"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E-47VmFopE[/youtube]

“We lost a good one.”

Those words from one of my dad’s friends and softball buddies summed up the feelings of a lot of us upon my dad’s death recently.

Bethel Eastham was never on the cover of Time magazine; never amassed a huge fortune or became a real estate tycoon; he never held public office or made it to the big leagues.

He was much more.

A loving husband of 59 years to my mom. He sacrificed to provide for and raise his 4 kids. A servant to his friends at church, his neighbors, his family, and his softball teammates.

I loved him very much. Didn’t say it to him very often. But I did. And I learned a lot from him. A great role model. A great dad and grandpa (Pop).

I will miss him terribly.

But I also look forward to our reunion in Heaven where he now sits in the presence of God Almighty. I’ll see you soon, Dad.